Tracking the Flu Across the Country

I am working with the American Public Health Association (APHA) to track the flu across the country. If you or someone around you is sick, please participate in this ongoing project to map the flu. To participate, click on the green box on the left or the link below.

http://www.flunearyou.org/?a=78e6f3ed55181d

United State - Nigerian Binational Commission

Every day I learn how much I don't know. The United States of America and Nigeria have developed a Binational Commission. The four primary objectives of the Commission are: 1) good governance/transparency; 2) promote regional development; 3) energy reform; and 4) food/agricultural development.

View the Department of State video by clicking on the title.

I think that two glaring omissions have been made in the Commissions objectives. Education and Health Care need to be added as essential elements to stablize, reform and grow Nigeria.

Vacation Paradise in Anguilla, British West Indies

For those of you with time on your hands and pockets full of cash, here is a great vacation destination in Anguilla, British West Indies. A colleague of mine has a villa rental available for the adventurous at heart, who love sandy beaches, warm sun and tropical drinks.


-3 Bedroom/3.5 Bath open floor plan resort home-Exclusive 3rd level sun & spa terrace-MBR suite with whirlpool tub & outdoor shower-Spacious entertainment lounge, deck & infinity edge pool-Vaulted exotic hardwood ceilings and solid Mahogany doors-Authentic Thai furnishings & art-Panoramic views of Road Bay Harbor & St.Martin-Close access to superior dining & beaches-Central access to the whole island West & East-Gated with closed circuit camera monitoring-Generator & Hurricane rated windows & doors
-Available for short or long term rental
Bookings: 561-247-6356
TopazVilla@gmail.com

What's Next for Travel Security?

The TSA is always reactive. The shoe bomber made us have to take our shoes off at the airport. The underwear bomber made the invasive pat down possible. OMG! I hope no one tries to smuggle a bomb in a body cavity. The TSA might just hire gynecologists and proctologists to check us out. It seems a little strange that one incident (shoe bomber, underwear bomber, etc.) causes millions of people to have to be subjected to these security changes. In September I was pulled aside for an airport screening check. I didn't get the now publicized invasive pat down, but it felt really crazy standing there in a glass box with my bare feet waiting to see what they would ask me to be subjected to. I eventually got the evil eye and the wand search... probably while arms and drug dealers slipped right through. Flying is getting less and less attractive as a means of transportation. http://www.cnn.com/TRAVEL/

Health Care Reform Explained - VIDEO

There is a lot of confusion, misinformation and scare tactics about the U.S. Health Care Reform Act. Here is a brief video from the Kaiser Family Foundation that explains the Act in a simple and concise way.

Excellence

I read the final exams of my students from the Critical Thinking class, which recently concluded. Happily, I recognized that some had grasped the concept of what it is to think critically. In most cases, their essays expressed thought and reflection born of curiosity, assignments completed, reading done, and effort to leave the classroom with more than just having warmed the seat.

I then watched the movie, The Great Debaters, telling the story of Prof. Melvin B. Tolson and the Wiley College debating team of 1935. This heart-warming and heart-wrenching story speaks of times and tales past and present. Excellence requires great sacrifice. Excellence overcomes great obstacles.

The other day I listened to National Public Radio and heard a self-proclaimed, white woman, who railed against blacks who seemed to be taking everything away from good, American, hard working whites. In 2009, I cringed to hear the tone of her voice, which exuded great hatred and malice. She spoke of our president, Barack Obama, and those who would have blacks take over the country. I wondered if she believed that the excellence, as exhibited by the hard work and dedication of our president and the many blacks who have toiled and studied to meet and even exceed those who set the standard, should go unrecognized to placate those who choose their own ignorance and insecurity over progress.

After thinking about these things, I wrote:

Excellence

Excellence is no accident
The product of intelligence, diligence and prospective vision
Excellence rises
Excellence knows not color, status or circumstance
Excellence knows only effort and endurance

---Theresa E. Berger (2009)

If we are to progress and be the great nation we proclaim to be, we MUST pursue excellence and put away ignorance and self-righteous indignation.

Race Identity

Today, on National Public Radio (NPR 90.1 Philadelphia) I heard a riveting show about race in America. In particular, the debate focused on Barack Obama's race identity. I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the portion of the show that I heard. If nothing else, I think President-Elect Obama's racial identity has sparked a long overdue conversation in America. In recent years race has been the "elephant in the room." We all see it, but few acknowledge that America is still fraught with racial problems. These problems are so engrained in our society that people often (and I believe genuinely - in some cases) don't understand their part or that of other's in perpetuating hostility toward people of color (whether overt or covert).

Some people say that race doesn't matter. I believe that is inherently true. However, race has been made to be important in American society. Other than identifying someone by their skin color or ethnic features to separate and treat them differently, I fail to understand the significance or usefulness of one's race.

According to our birth certificates: In 1933 when my mother was born, she was "colored". In 1955 when my brother was born, he was "negro." In 1961 when I was born, I was "black". And, in 1995 my youngest daughter was "African-American," which in her case is accurate being the daughter of my second husband, who is from Cote D'Ivoire, West Africa and I being from the United States. It seems to me that the need for naming or labeling comes from outside of ourselves. In this country (America) if others can't categorize you, they dont know how they should treat you...as though treating everyone fairly and the same would be a bad thing. This is illustrated by the "colored" people who used to pass as white and were treated well in society but, when discovered to be black were treated horrifically.

The questions on today's show about why Obama does not self-identify as "mixed" or "bi-racial" is clear to me. In this society, if you have the appearance of being "black" or "African-American" that is how you are treated. Fair-skinned, straight hair, thin lips, etc. do not trump the long held prejudices people have about what it means to be "black" or "African-American." It's not so much how you see or identify yourself, its how others categorize you and ultimately treat you.